Carroll is a member of the
Clay County Republican Executive Committee. In 2000, she ran for a seat in the
U.S. House of Representatives in the
Florida's 3rd congressional district. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Congresswoman
Corrine Brown defeated Carroll 58%–42%. After redistricting, she ran for a rematch against Brown in the newly redrawn 3rd district in 2002. Brown defeated her 59%–41%. Carroll is one of the founders of
Maggie's List, a federal PAC that supports conservative female candidates.
Florida House of Representatives Carroll ran for a seat
Florida House of Representatives in the 13th state House district after incumbent State Representative Mike Hogan, also a Republican, resigned in 2003. In the April 2003
special election, she won the Republican primary with 65.5 percent of the vote, defeating Linda Sparks, who won 34.5 percent of the vote. She became the first Black female Republican ever elected to the
Florida Legislature. She won unopposed in 2004, 2006, and 2008. Carroll was appointed Deputy Majority Leader from 2003–2004 and served as Majority Whip from 2004–2006. She was Vice Chair of the Transportation and Economic Development Committee (2003–2004), Chair of the Finance Committee (2006–2008) and Chair of the Economic and Development Council (2008–2010).
Lieutenant Governor of Florida On November 2, 2010, the Republican ticket of
Rick Scott and Jennifer Carroll defeated the Democratic ticket of
Alex Sink and Rod Smith, 48.9%–47.7%. The first black person, the first woman, and the first Trinidadian American She had a troubled relationship with Governor Scott concerning various office mismanagement charges, including retaliation on staff, tax improprieties, and lesbianism. Carroll came under further scrutiny for public relations work for a charity involving illegal online gambling and for $24,000 in income, which she failed to report on disclosures and tax returns. Though the Ethics Committee found no evidence of wrongdoing, at the request of Governor
Rick Scott, Carroll resigned her post as lieutenant governor on March 12, 2013. The
Florida Department of Law Enforcement subsequently concluded that she did not break any laws.
Later political career Carroll served as a surrogate for
Donald Trump during
his 2016 presidential campaign, speaking at his rallies and serving on his National Diversity Council. Carroll served on the Commission from April 2018 until January 2021. ==Personal life==